Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will hand Sanath Jayasuriya a second tenure as chief selector after the former opener stepped down from the post a little over a year ago. As of now the board is waiting for sports minister’s approval before making a formal announcement.
According to SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva, the selection committee will also have former wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana and former offspinner Ranjith Madurasingha.
Jayasuriya will be taking over charge from Aravinda de Silva, who had signed up for the two-month role before the World Twenty20. However, Mohan de Silva told ESPNCricinfo that the board is yet to fix a term for Jayasuriya-led selection panel and can extend till 2019 World Cup.
The SLC vice-president also confirmed that the present Aravinda de Silva panel will select the squad for an upcoming England tour in consultation with Jayasuriya. During Jayasuriya’s tenure from January 2013 to March 2015, Sri Lanka won a World T20 title, Test series in England (both in 2014) and then losing in the quarterfinal of 2015 World Cup.
But Jayasuriya’s tenure as chief selector was riddled with public disagreements, particularly with senior players.
Sri Lanka will be having a packed schedule this year. They start with a three-Test tour of England, followed by Australia visiting Sri Lanka on a full tour in July and August. Moreover, at the end of the year, Sri Lanka will be travelling to South Africa.
[“Source-indiatoday.intoday”]
